The Official Opposition has called for the Higgs government to increase COVID-19 resources in schools in the form of a rapid testing program.
Liberal Education and Early Childhood Development critic, Benoît Bourque raised concerns over the deteriorating situation across the province.
“Schools are being closed across the province, children are self-isolating or waiting at home to hear from contact tracers, frankly the situation is getting out of hand,” says Bourque.
“Something must be done immediately, and the Liberal Opposition strongly supports regular rapid testing in classrooms as a way of managing the spread of the virus.”
The Kent South MLA referenced recent statistics released by the province regarding the COVID-19 Point of Care Testing program.
According to a news release, more than 586,000 rapid test kits have been distributed through this program.
“We need to be using the rapid tests strategically. Regularly testing children, especially those under 12 who cannot be vaccinated, will have the most impact on the spread of the virus,” said Bourque.
Last week, Nova Scotia announced a new program that will see families of children in pre-primary to Grade 6 in Nova Scotia’s public school system receive free COVID-19 rapid testing kits.
Furthermore, Bourque called out New Brunswick Education Minister Dominic Cardy, inferring he has gone missing amid the rise in COVID-19 cases.
“Where is the Minister? Why have we not seen him at a press conference in recent weeks? The situation in our school system will not get better on its own, and it can certainly not keep going like this all year. Bring rapid testing into our schools now,” said Bourque.
A news release from the province late Monday said the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development is working with Public Health to develop new approaches to address the present reality of the impact of COVID-19 in schools, including a wider use of rapid testing.
“The department will have more information to share on this in the coming days,” said the release.
